HEALING AND RECONCILIATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES
Building Bridges to Reconciliation
Newcomers to Canada arrive at its coasts seeking opportunities, safety and fresh hope for themselves and their families.
Unfortunately, their view of Canada is often formed through media and romanticized assumptions, which typically leave out the country’s history of Indigenous Peoples and ongoing reconciliation efforts.
Today, there are still no systematic approaches to educating new Canadians about reconciliation or how to encourage their active participation in these significant dialogues.
The People Bridge Advocacy seeks to address knowledge gaps and create a platform for Indigenous Peoples to share their stories and wisdom with new Canadians, cross-cultural communities, racialized groups and natural-born Canadians in Saskatoon. Launched in 2025, the “Walking Together for Truth and Reconciliation” initiative focuses on building connections and sharing Indigenous culture. It encourages active listening, learning and facilitates open and constructive dialogue among individuals and communities.
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is helping the initiative expand by funding activities designed to help newcomers gain a deeper understanding of the expectations, challenges and respectful ways to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples. These programs include reconciliation dialogues, sharing circles, cultural exchanges, workshops on treaties and reconciliation, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, residential school survivors and a youth leadership initiative.
This Walking Together for Truth and Reconciliation initiative aims to provide these communities with opportunities to be part of the healing and reconciliation process in our shared home.
Diocese of Saskatoon
